In the UK public sector gross incompetence and fear of making a decision is the norm.
One reason they hire consulting firms is so they can say they "took best advice" and if it all goes wrong (as it often does) they can point at someone else.
The UK government recently paid $18bn for a computer system that doesn't work, has now been scrapped and the project abandoned - yes that's eighteen BILLION US dollars.
I'm pretty sure the people in charge didn't get fired because they followed procedure.

Another reason for hiring consultancy firms rather than employing people is that employees don't give kickbacks to get a contract.
I know of instances in the UK of government departments paying 10 times the going rate by using a consultant for procurement of services. I can make a very good guess as to where some of that money is going.... Kickbacks! it simply doesn't make sense until you follow the money.

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